Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6026: Residential dev./zones
Status: Signed into law, March 27, 2026
Concerning residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones.
What the bill says
An act Relating to residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington continues to experience a shortage of homes affordable to its residents at all income levels. The legislature further finds that zoning reforms can support an environment that expands opportunities for housing development. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows: (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any city or county that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 with a population of 30,000 or more, as determined by the office of financial management under RCW 43.62.030, is prohibited from excluding residential uses in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development. (2)(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, any city or county subject to the requirements of subsection (1) of this section may not require mixed use or ground floor commercial or retail as a condition of permitting development of residential housing, or a conditional use permit, special use permit, or departure from development regulations or design guidelines related to the location, siting, orientation, or architectural design features of residential or mixed-use development in areas zoned for commercial use …
Sponsors
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34) · primary sponsor
- Jessica Bateman (D)
- Steven Conway (D)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 236, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 35; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 69; nays, 27; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 10, 2026): 35 yea, 14 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 5, 2026): 69 yea, 27 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Local Government (March 2, 2026): 19 yea, 4 nay, passed
- House Committee on Local Government: Do pass as amended (February 25, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 13, 2026): 36 yea, 12 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6026 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass (February 9, 2026): 20 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Common questions
- What is SB6026?
- SB6026 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Residential dev./zones.
- What does SB6026 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB6026?
- Signed into law as of March 27, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB6026?
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB6026?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6026&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.